No Bake Candy Bars

I made these up one night with my girls because we were craving something sweet! They turned out sooooo good! They are sweet, salty, and crunchy. They are perfect for summer because there is no oven required. All of these ingredients you might even have in your kitchen, so whip some up tonight!

Ingredients:

graham crackers
25 caramels
2 tablespoons milk
mini marshmallows
pretzels, broken into small pieces
chocolate chips (I did a heaping cup)

1. This is a really easy treat. Start by lining your 8x8 pan with a piece of foil. Next make a layer of graham crackers to fit the bottom of your pan. I trimmed a couple of pieces with a serrated knife to make a perfect fit.
2. Unwrap all your caramels and put them in a microwave safe bowl. Add 2 tablespoon of milk and pop it in the microwave. Start with 30 seconds and give it a stir. Continue with 30 seconds at a time and stirring until it is smooth and creamy.
3. Pour HALF of the caramel over the crackers. Just drizzle it over. I doesn't have to be perfect, you are going to put lots of good stuff on top of it. Next, pour an even layer of mini marshmallows on the caramels. Kinda press them into the caramel. Yum. Ok next.
4. Pour (or drizzle for better coverage) the rest of the caramel over the marshmallows. Sprinkle an even layer of pretzels on top of the caramel and press them in too. Next and last.... melt the chocolate chips in a bowl (30 seconds at a time again until smooth) and pour the chocolate on top of the pretzels. Smooth out with a knife and set in the fridge until set.
5. When they are set, pull the foil out and cut into bars.

Oreo Cookie Bark

It has been so boiling hot around here that I haven't been baking as much....I want to but our house is so hot, I just can't do that to my family :) So here is a super yummy and sweet treat you can make without turning on the oven! Just to let you know it is very addicting:) YUM! I got this idea from Homebased Mom. Enjoy!



Ingredients:

Stick pretzels
reduced fat oreos
2 1/2 cups white chocolate melties
m&ms and sprinkles

1. Really easy and you can kinda eyeball most of it. Ok all you do is line a cookie sheet with wax paper. Next break up about 1/3 to 1/2 a package of oreos with your hands and spread it out on the cookie sheet. Next, break about 3 or 4 handfuls of your pretzels in half and mix them in on the cookie sheet with the oreos. At this point you can put as much pretzels and cookies as you like to cover the cookie sheet. More of one or the other if you prefer or even amounts of both.
2.Ok next put your melties in a microwave safe bowl and start melting. Stir every 30 seconds until smooth. Drizzle back and forth over your pretzel/oreo mixture to pretty much cover it all up. You will see cookie and pretzel peeking through. Same thing here, you can have as much white chocolate as you want.
3. Next while the chocolate is still warm, sprinkle m&ms and sprinkles over the top. Allow is to cool, which only takes about 15 minutes and then break up into chunks! SO GOOD!!

* this is great to give away as gifts or goodies for a friend. You can use different color oreos and m&ms to make it fun.

Oreo truffels

Ok, this seriously couldn't get any easier!! It is fast and looks so fancy, anyone can do it!! You can whip this up for your sweetheart, friends, or for yourself! I lightened it up too, so you can have a few!




Ingredients:

1 8 oz. package fat free cream cheese
1 package reduced fat oreos
1 cup white chocolate melties (you can get them at walmart or winco)

* When I made these I halfed the recipe and it still made about 20 or so. So you can make a lot or a little, whatever you want!

1. Take your cream cheese out of the fridge and bring to room temperature (about an hour). Next, break your oreos in half and toss them in your food processor or into a big zip lock bag and crush those babies until they are super fine.
2. In a medium bowl with a hand mixer, blend the cream cheese by itself to get it nice and soft. Once it is creamy add the crushed oreos. After it is all combined take about a tablespoon sized ball of mixture and roll it into a ball and set aside. *Just to let you know, it is a pretty sticky mixture and it's not a clean process. I washed my hands about every 5-6 balls. I didn't try this but you can probably spray your hands with a little non-stick spray and it will work wonders! Repeat until you have made all your truffles (I put mine on a flat plate).
3. In another bowl, melt your white chocolate in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time. Stirring after each time. Once it is melted it is time to dip! Lay out a piece of wax paper to put your finished truffles on.
4. Using two spoons or whatever works best for you, dip and toss your oreo balls in the chocolate. Place on paper and sprinkle with well..... sprinkles. Decorate them how ever you want and within minutes you have a yummy treat!!

* You can dip these in chocolate or dark chocolate too, extra sweet!!

Homemade CRUNCH candy bites

Sometimes I get really good ideas for food or treats and this one came to me and it worked out just how I dreamed :) These are really easy and fun, and fun to eat. I quick treat that hits the chocolate candy bar spot!


Look at that, all of them patiently waiting to be eaten up!


The center is soft but chocolaty, just like a candy bar!

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons butter
1 10oz. package marshmallows (40 large 4 cups mini)
6 cups rice krispies
1 1/2 cup chocolate chips
1 cup peanut butter chips
2 cups melty chocolate disks, melting chocolate

1. You are just going to whip up some rice krispie treats. Line a 13x9 pan with foil and non stick spray.

2.Melt butter in a large saucepan over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Add chocolate chips and stir until all the chocolate is combined. Remove from heat.

3. Add cereal and stir. When almost all combined add the peanut chips. Don't add too early, you want them to keep their shape. Once everything is mixed together immediately pour into your prepared dish. Using a spatula sprayed with non-stick spray (or just spray your finger) press the mixture firmly into the dish. Press hard, you want them to be really condensed. Now let them cool.

4. When all cooled, turn over baking dish and cut into whatever size candy bar you like. Melt the melting chocolate (i get it at winco in the bulk) in microwave for 30 seconds at a time until smooth. Dip cereal bars in and let cool on wax paper. EAT!! So good! Perfect for parties or kids treats :)

New Year's treats!

Ok, here are a few ideas for some New Years treats! The first one I got the idea for because I just watched Julie and Julia. I really like that movie, but that's not the point. She made these and they looked so good that I made them right away. And if you are wondering Bruschetta is soooo good! Rex and I ate them all!! The next is a super delicious fudge recipe. It always comes out creamy and sweet!! Have a great new year!

Bruschetta recipe

1 french bread baguette
2-3 medium/large tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
salt and pepper
grated mozzarella cheese

1. So easy! Line a cookie sheet with foil. Slice your bread at an angle and place on cookie sheet. Drizzle each piece of bread with a bit of olive oil.
2. Cut your tomatoes into small pieces and toss with seasonings. Give it a taste and add more if you like. Spoon a bit of the tomato mixture on top of each piece of bread. Top with a little cheese and bake at 400 for 15 minutes. DONE!!



Creamy fudge

2 tablespoons butter
2/3 cup fat free evaporated milk
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups mini marshmallows
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 teaspoon vanilla

1. Line a 8x8 pan with foil and lightly spray with nonstick spray.
2. Mix fist four ingredients together in a saucepan and bring to boil over medium heat. Boil for 4 minutes.
3. Stir in marshmallows and chocolate chips. Stir until combined. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Pour into pan and let cool. When cooled, turn over onto cutting board and cut into squares. DONE!

* To keep fudge fresh and creamy, keep in a Tupperware container. Layers fudge then wax paper then fudge and so on to keep candy from sticking! Enjoy!

Peppermint Bark

I have seen so many different versions of this yummy candy, but this was easy and so good!! Only 3 ingredients and it takes no time at all...... a treat perfect for giving to friends all wrapped up! Try it out!




Ingredients:

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate or dark chocolate chips
2 cups white chips
1/2 crushed candy canes

1. Place the candy canes(about 6-7)in a zip lock bag and crush them with a rolling pin. As small as you want them. Melt chocolate in a double boiler. Line a cookie sheet with foil and make the foil long enough to crimp over the edges. When the chocolate is melted, spread evenly over the foil.Sprinkle just a bit of crushed candy canes over the chocolate. Place in the fridge to set up. Let it cool for 15 min.
2. While the chocolate is cooling melt the white chocolate in a double boiler. Take cookie sheet out of fridge and spread the white chocolate QUICKLY pour melted choc late. You must work fast because the heat from the white chocolate with start to re-melt the dark chocolate. After you have spread the white chocolate evenly sprinkle with the rest of the candy canes.
3. Place back in the fridge to set up; at least 30 min. Next you can used a knife to cut your candy into pieces and place them in bags or an airtight container to stay fresh. I keep mine in the fridge to keep in from melting or getting too soft. Enjoy!